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Kenya’s forest cover grew from 3.47 million hectares in 2019 to 3.59 million hectares in 2024, but the country still lost an estimated KSh48.05 billion (US$369.6 million) in forest wealth over the period, because clearing of mature forests destroyed far more biomass than new planting added, according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) natural capital accounts reported by The Kenyan Wall Street on October 30, 2026.
Kenya forest cover vs forest wealth, 2019–2024
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Forest area 2019 → 2024 | 3.47m ha → 3.59m ha (+124,003 ha) |
| Afforestation | 342,427 ha |
| Deforestation | 218,424 ha |
| Biomass lost to deforestation | 20.19m tonnes |
| Biomass added by afforestation | 1.99m tonnes |
| Biomass stock 2019 → 2024 | 345.15m t → 324.96m t |
| Economic loss | KSh48.05bn (about KSh9.61bn a year) |
Why more trees can still mean less value
New plantings take decades to build the biomass and ecological value of a mature forest. Clearing one hectare of old montane forest removes far more stored carbon than a new hectare adds in its first years. So hectares can rise while natural capital falls.
Montane forests carry most of the loss
Montane forests, including the Mau Complex, Mount Kenya, the Aberdares and the Cherangany Hills, accounted for about US$251.25 million, roughly 68% of the total loss, and 16.11 million tonnes of biomass. Dryland forests were next (US$64.55 million, 4.11 million tonnes), then plantations (US$21.66 million). Coastal forests lost 1.09 million tonnes, western rainforests about 830,086 tonnes and mangroves 39,088 tonnes. The five main montane water towers supply about 75% of Kenya’s fresh water.
How KNBS valued the loss
KNBS converted lost biomass into carbon dioxide equivalent using 2019 IPCC guidelines and applied a price of US$10 per tonne. At higher carbon prices, the loss would be larger; the figure also excludes other services such as water regulation and biodiversity.
Why it matters for business
- Water and power: agriculture, hydropower and urban water depend on montane catchments.
- Carbon markets: the accounts give a baseline for forest carbon projects. See our guide on how to get carbon credits in Kenya.
- Timber supply: plantation harvesting continues under licence; see the KFS statement on Ngong Hills felling.
FAQ
What is Kenya’s forest cover?
About 3.59 million hectares in 2024, up from 3.47 million in 2019, according to KNBS.
How much forest wealth did Kenya lose?
About KSh48.05 billion between 2019 and 2024.
Which forests lost the most?
Montane forests, accounting for about 68% of the economic loss.
Updated October 31, 2026.
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